I have good collection of old coins. But I dont know how to clean them. Please help.
2006-11-25 00:24:45 · 16 answers · asked by rockylike007 3 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
When you clean a coin, you remove metal from its surface, whether you clean it by scrubbing it or if you use chemicals on it. Also, if you scrub or rub or polish your coin, you will leave scratch marks on the surface of the coin -- very bad for its value.
If you just want to clean dirt off your coins, you can soak them in warm water with dish soap. Again, be careful about rubbing the surfaces, because the dirt may leave scratches if you try to rub it off. Pat dry with a soft towel -- do not rub, just pat
If it's just toning (tarnish) that you want to remove, you're best off leaving it alone. A toned coin is still much more easy to sell than a cleaned coin.
Above all, do NOT use any kind of polish or other abrasive on your coins. The tiny hairline scratches that will be left on your coins will just KILL their value.
I hate to even say this, but if you MUST clean your silver coins, and don't care about destroying their value, you can use baking soda. Wet the coin, and your hand, then dip the tip of your thumb into the baking soda and rub it into your coin. After enough rubbing, your coin will come out bright & shiny, but will have almost NO resale value left.
As for copper coins, there is really no good way to clean them. They are such a hard metal, that any polishing or abrasive will certainly destroy the surfaces of your coin. You can try soaking in olive oil for several days to see if surface dirt will soften up.
If you find any valuable coins, PLEASE leave them as you find them. In the long run, you will be doing yourself and any future owner a big favor by not destroying the coin by cleaning.
2006-11-25 00:38:44 · answer #1 · answered by devil5557 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anyone here that told you how to clean them are not coin collectors.You do not clean coin period. They lose their value.You can make a $100 coin a $5.00 coin real quick. The only coins that actually get cleaned are real valuable ones and they are done by a professional and it is pricey. Also ancient coins that have been dug up need cleaning. I use olive oil and it takes a long time. Now if your coins have turn green ( green Slime) that is caused by PVC in the holders. They need new holders. If you dip then in acetone (from hardware store), then warm water and pat dry it may help. It will not remove crusty green, that has actually eaten into the coin. If still confused, see a coin dealer for advice.
2006-11-25 13:11:52 · answer #2 · answered by Taiping 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you clean your coins, you will actually remove a thin layer of metal from their surfaces. This will cause their value to be significantly lessened. Any knowledgeable coin dealer or collector will tell you the same thing-- Don't clean your coins! Unless permanently damaging them is not important to you, you should just leave them alone. Another option is to talk to a professional numismatic conservator about conserving them (not the same as cleaning, which is more damaging). I hope this helps.
2006-11-25 12:17:47 · answer #3 · answered by CoinGirl12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How To Wash Old Coins
2016-12-12 03:12:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya I think referring to the old coins they would be made of copper.So you have one thing to clean them:
1.Take a container
2.Take some vinegar and add some salt to it.
3.Shake it well and put the copper coins in to it for some time.
4.After 15 minutes,take them out and put them into a container filled with clean water.
5.Then after 5 minutes,clean them.
2006-11-25 00:38:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the copper is just tarnished and dark, take a small bowl and pour in some vinegar, and a few shakes of salt, and swish the pennies around in that. It will brighten them up nicely. Be aware, however, that cleaning older coins destroys the numismatic value, if any.
2016-05-23 01:03:51 · answer #6 · answered by Lois 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
baking soda works. i have cleaned old pennies if you are not sure what you want then visit a coin stores that is there specialty they can tell you what is right for use on cleaning coins
2006-11-26 06:45:01 · answer #7 · answered by Dawn S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i feel that it does not need any cleaning coz the old effect may go away so there is no use of collecting old coins coz u want it b2 b new.
2006-11-25 22:55:50 · answer #8 · answered by cutey smarty girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not that is a bad idea. It actually depreciates the value of the coin.
2006-11-25 00:27:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you want the collection to keep its value, DON'T CLEAN THEM!
2006-11-25 04:21:05 · answer #10 · answered by sudonym x 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋